In politics, fundamental changes occur far less often than exciteable headline writers would have us believe. Sometimes, however, there is a basic realignment. Often, the early stages are imperceptible. Then everyone realises that events have spun out of the politicians' control. The eventual outcome may not what be anyone would have wished, but nothing can […]
The Irish often find the right words. A few years ago, after a largely-forgotten political scandal, someone described the whole affair as grotesque, unbelievable, bizarre and unprecedented. That was quickly abbreviated to Gubu. Last week, the BBC became the Gubu broadcasting corporation. It is all a little unfair on George Entwistle, who had only been […]
It is so frustrating. In his first four years, Barack Obama did nothing to justify his re-election. I remember a conversation with Margaret Thatcher in the late Eighties, in which I suggested that there was a paradox in her relationship with Ronald Reagan. Given his inability to grasp detail, she would have been unlikely to […]
I disagree with Andrew's analysis for a number of reasons. Although any compressed account of complex political history must involve over-simplifications, he goes too far. Above all, he seems to believe that there was a cadre of intellectuals who all agreed on the crucial issues of the day but were at odds with the party leadership. […]
The Tories are suffering from a terrible affliction. They are no longer the stupid party, as John Stuart Mill described them. On the contrary: Tory politics is full of intellectuals, a contumacious and disruptive species. This is one reason why it has become much harder to lead the Tory party.Mill's dismissive comment was never literally […]
Michael Heseltine has always been a less of a politician, more of a force of nature. As his eightieth birthday approaches, there is no sign that this is changing. Once, he was a young man in a hurry. Now, he is an…I was about to write "old", but that does not seem the appropriate word […]
Momentum is crucial in politics. You are either pressing forward or being pushed backwards. You are either defining the debate or your opponents will do so, at your expense. If you lose momentum, you lose authority. When that happens, the government is moribund. There is a common feature in all the changes of regime in […]
There follows an extract from Conservative Home, 54 BC: "It has been confirmed that all Julius Caesar's troops and warships have left these shores and are not expected to return. Old King Cole, the local Kentish ruler, said; 'Good riddance. While we are happy to enjoy free trade with Gaul, we'll have nothing to do […]
On the afternoon of 7th September 2005 – 7/7 – the day of the worst terrorist outrage in London's history, I was walking along an almost-deserted Strand. The atmosphere was solemn, funereal. It was also grimly defiant; what sort of people do they think we are? There was a policeman almost every fifty yards, and […]
Prince Charles is not a comfortable character. Impossible to pigeon-hole, he is evidently ill-at-ease with the spirit of the age. For a start, in a post-religious country, this is a man with a deeply religious temperament. I have no idea what his private beliefs are. He is a loyal member of the Church of England, […]
Conservative philosophy has always been a troublesome concept. There was one in the days when Tories stood for Church and King. As they too became troublesome concepts, we had a difficulty with our intellectual definition. It is easy for the Socialists; they have a secular teleology: socialism, and can subordinate everything to that ultimate end. […]
At Birmingham, David Cameron had a simple task: to defy Kierkegaard. Either/Or; there was a widespread assumption that Mr Cameron would have to choose. Was he still a moderniser, or would he fall back on traditional Tory themes? Was he a compassionate Conservative, or would he take a tough line on undeserving welfare claimants? Would […]
David Cameron's political views have deep roots in defeat. Despite his confident, optimistic demeanour, his earliest political experiences were dominated by adversity. By the time he joined the Conservative Research Department, Margaret Thatcher was embattled, A couple of years later, she was overthrown. Her successor, John Major, was equally embattled. Although there was a brief […]
So what did you actually think? The Guardian and the BBC – a distinction without a difference – have told us that it was wonderful: that Ed Miliband's speech was Pericles, Abraham Lincoln and Nye Bevan at their very best. Well, I thought that he went on too long. Far too long. Twenty minutes from […]
At the Labour Conference this week, post Mitchell-gate, a lot of those present will be back to their class war comfort zone. There will be a great deal of talk about entitlement. It will be alleged that after Eton and Oxford, David Cameron decided that he'd toddle off and run the country; sort of thing […]